CNN: Wasilla Charged Women for Rape Exams Under Palin's Watch

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Since Sarah Palin's pick as John McCain's vice-presidential running mate, details of her years as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, have included revelations that under her watch the town charged women for rape exams. This story was given a new pair of wings today by a written report and video at CNN confirming that when Palin was mayor Wasilla did indeed cling stubbornly to the practice of charging for rape exams, even in the face of state efforts to halt the practice.

As CNN reports, former state representative Eric Croft sponsored a state law requiring cities to provide free rape exams to victims. Croft told CNN that the only ongoing resistance he met was from Wasilla, where Palin was mayor from 1996 to 2002. "It was one of those things everyone could agree on except Wasilla...," Croft told CNN, "...We couldn't convince the chief of police to stop charging them." While some of Palin's supporters say they believe she had no knowledge of the practice, critics call the suggestion "outrageous" and question Palin's commitment to helping women who are victims of violence. As Croft told CNN, "I find it hard to believe that for six months a small town, a police chief, would lead the fight against a statewide piece of legislation receiving unanimous support and the mayor not know about it."

Forensic nurse Tara Henry confirmed Croft's comments on Wasilla's intransigence in the matter of rape exams, telling CNN that while several local law enforcement agencies expressed difficulty paying for the exams, Wasilla was the most vocal in its opposition to paying. Charging victims for exams "retraumatizes them," according to Henry: "Asking them to pay for something law enforcement needs in order to investigate their case, it's almost like blaming them for getting sexually assaulted."

With a rape rate 2.5 times the national average, as CNN observes, Alaska has the worst record of any state in rape and murder of women by men.

American women and all Americans should know about Palin's history of opposing fair treatment for rape victims.